At just 25 years old, after a horrific car accident, Dinesh Palipana became a quadriplegic. Since then, Dinesh has become one of the most accomplished, recognised and admired figures in Australian medicine. 

Dinesh lost the use of his lower body, and a large degree of function in his arms and hands. It was the beginning of a new phase of life, one that would be filled with extraordinary challenge and struggle. A phase of life that demanded resilience on a scale few of us can imagine.

On this week’s episode of The Risk Equation, Dr Chris Maguire explores how Dinesh recovered from the accident and began to face the realities of life through a trip to Sri Lanka, what prejudices he faced upon his return to medical school, and the amazing new innovation in the science and treatment of spinal cord injuries in recent clinical trials.  

In 2020, Dinesh has been nominated as Australian of the Year,, he’s a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia for service in Medicine, and was the 2019 Junior Doctor of the Year at Gold Coast University Hospital.

More of Dinesh’ incredible story can be found via his feature on Australian Story, his Ted Talk and his continued contributions to Griffith University. 

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Follow Chris: 

https://linktr.ee/chris_r_maguire

The Risk Equation is edited and produced by Edward Gooden.

For show enquiries: [email protected] 

Music and sound effects: Epidemic Sound.